Interdisciplinary approach to revealing cardiac pathology in TB patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The tuberculosis (TB) dispensary patients are often diagnosed with cardiac diseases, but the regulatory documents associated with TB care refer to the procedures and standards of examination and treatment of TB patients or patients with suspected TB while the management of associated chronic diseases is carried out in other medical institutions. There is lack of continuity between doctors of different specialties. Patients face organizational problems of accessibility and quality of medical care. The creation of Department of Medical and Social Care and Rehabilitation in TB dispensary with therapeutic profile specialists became especially urgent in the period of coronavirus pandemic.Aim. The aim of the study was to estimate the expediency and effectiveness of Department of Medical and Social Care and Rehabilitation in detection and treatment of comorbid cardiac pathology in patients of TB dispensary during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Material and Methods. All patients of the St. Petersburg TB dispensary No. 5 were examined according to specially developed algorithm to detect and treat the cardiac pathology comorbid with TB. Results. Cardiac diseases comorbid with tuberculosis were detected using an integrated multidisciplinary approach to examination of TB patients during the pandemic of coronavirus infection. Examination, consultation, and necessary treatment were carried out directly in TB dispensary allowing to avoid disease exacerbations and complications during the entire period of monitoring.Conclusion. The establishment of Department of Medical and Social Care and Rehabilitation in TB dispensary No. 5 showed the relevance and timeliness of this measure. The coronavirus genesis of some cardiac diseases required to revise the management tactics of affected tuberculosis patients.